“Natty” to the rescue again, as T&T come from behind to down Guatemala 3-2

Trinidad and Tobago moved within touching distance of the Concacaf Nations League A quarterfinals last night, after a rousing 3-2 win over Guatemala at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

A draw away to Curaçao, who are already relegated, would be enough to see the Soca Warriors into the knockout stage of this competition for the first time. While, even with a loss, coach Angus Eve can still advance—unless Panama defeat Guatemala and Martinique win by possibly as much as three clear goals away to El Salvador.

For the 7,000+ supporters who turned out, there was plenty to celebrate on Ariapita Avenue after a rollercoaster affair in which the home team somehow recovered from a two-goal deficit.

For the second game in a row at the Port of Spain venue, La Horquetta resident Nathaniel James was the hero as he made the most of a cameo to gift his team all three points, just as he did against Curaçao on 7 September.

Roughly this time a month ago, Eve was under a cloud following a disastrous 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup showing and fans—as well as his own team captain, Kevin Molino—were incredulous that Fifa-appointed normalization committee chairman Robert Hadad renewed his contract.

Three successive triumphs later and Eve is giving lectures on winning football matches at press conferences. In truth, it does require some explanation.

Not for the first time in this competition, Eve’s troops trailed by every statistical gauge except the most meaningful one of all: the goals scored column.

Guatemala had more possession, more passes, twice as many shots and shots on goals and almost three times as many corners. Yet, again, it was the boys in red, white and black who celebrated at the final whistle.

Eve might argue that Guatemala also had a numerical advantage.

Inexplicably, Nicaraguan referee’s assistant Henri Pupiro kept his flag down for the visitors’ opening item in the 12th minute, although forward Ruben Mendez looked to be a yard offside when he diverted a shot-cum-cross by namesake Nathaniel Mendez into the back of the net at the far post.

Just after the half hour mark, Trinidad and Tobago were in more trouble as Alejandro Galindo wriggled past opposing captain Aubrey David down the flank and Oscar Santis got two bites of the cherry at the back door—with his second volley flying past Alvin Jones and in off the far post.

Within five minutes, the Warriors found a response from the penalty spot after Jorge Aparicio clumsily tripped Noah Powder on the edge of the box. And Jones’ penalty was emphatic.

Guatemala started the second half at full pelt and thought they restored their two-goal advantage after the Mendezes again combined, with Ruben tucking home off a Nathaniel pass in the 48th minute.

But, this time, Pupiro’s flag went up to deny his fellow Central American.

In the 53rd minute, Trinidad and Tobago made the most of the reprieve as opposing goalkeeper Nicholas Hagen could not hold on to a Neveal Hackshaw header off a Ryan Telfer corner kick, and Reon Moore converted the rebound from close range.

Back to square one, Guatemala kept coming and twice hit the bar with headers off set pieces with the Warriors defence unconvincing.

Yet, it was Trinidad and Tobago who got the winner.

Guatemala substitute Esteban Garcia tripped Warriors midfielder Neveal Hackshaw within shooting range and James, Eve’s last throw of the dice in the 79th minute, displayed yet another weapon in his armory with a fizzing free kick that flew past Hagen at his near post.

El Salvadorian referee Ivan Barton offered 10 minutes of stoppage time.

“Blow the whistle, blow the whistle,” sang the Trinidad and Tobago fans.

There would be no final twist, as the hosts held on for the victory that put them on the cusp of history in their third try at the Nations League.

And, remarkably, Eve is riding the cusp of the wave with a Soca Warriors team that continue to defy the odds—and the conventional wisdom of football statistics.

A point at the Ergilio Hato Stadium in Willemstad on Tuesday 17 October will complete this phase of the mission. And then, whisper it, Trinidad and Tobago can turn their attention to winning a ticket to the 2024 Copa America competition and a chance to brush shoulders with the likes of Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Neymar.

What a difference three wins can make.

(Team)

Trinidad and Tobago (4-3-3): 22.Denzil Smith (GK) (1.Christopher Biggette (GK) 77); 16.Alvin Jones, 2.Aubrey David (captain), 17.Justin Garcia, 3.Ross Russell Jr; 15.Neveal Hackshaw, 14.Michel-Poon-Angeron (10.Duane Muckette 79), 18.Andre Rampersad; 7.Ryan Telfer (9.Nathaniel James 79), 19.Tyrone Charles (13.Reon Moore 19), 8.Noah Powder (20.Kaïlé Auvray 60).

Unused substitutes: 21.Jabari St Hillaire (GK), 4.Jesse Williams, 5.Kevon Goddard, 6.Andre Raymond, 11.Real Gill, 12.Kareem Moses, 23.Kristian Lee Him.

Coach: Angus Eve

Guatemala (4-2-1-3): 1.Nicholas Hagen (GK); 22.Stheven Robles, 4.Jose Pinto (captain), 3.Nicolas Samayoa, 2.Jose Ardon; 17.Oscar Castellanos (14.Darwin Lom 89), 23.Jorge Aparicio; 13.Alejandro Galindo; 11.Nathaniel Mendez (19.Robin Betancourth 85), 9.Rubio Mendez, 18.Oscar Santis (10.Esteban Garcia 65).

Unused substitutes: 12.Ricardo Jerez (GK), 21.Fredy Perez (GK), 5.Pedro Altan, 6.Kevin Ruiz, 7.Cristian Jimenez, 8.Rodrigo Saravia, 15.Jose Rosales, 16.Jose Morales, 20.Gerardo Gordillo.

Coach: Luis Tena

Referee: Ivan Barton (El Salvador)

Concacaf Nations League A

(Fri 13 October)

Trinidad and Tobago 3 (Alvin Jones 36 pen, Reon Moore 54, Nathaniel James 88), Guatemala 2 (Ruben Mendez 12, Oscar Santis 31) at Hasely Crawford Stadium.

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